Saturday, April 17, 2010

When times are rough, who's the person you always turn to? Your ace in the hole, right? Well, thank God the Rockies actually have one of those, and they're going to need him to live up to the billing in full for the third straight outing.

The Braves counter with Kenshin Kawakami. Kawakami is a very much underrated right-hander who came over to MLB last season from Japan. I suppose it's easy to understand why he would be underrated or overlooked when you look at the quality arms Atlanta has in their rotation.

At 34, he's also not a young prospect with endless amounts of hype surrounding him. He's just a solid, veteran arm that knows how to get hitters out without being overpowering. Josh Fogg might be a decent comparison to make, though I'd consider Kenshin to be more polished and talented.
The Rockies didn't get a look Kawakami last season despite him making 25 starts and seven relief appearances, so he'll have the factor of the unknown as an advantage as well.

A five run 2nd inning provided the Rockies with a seemingly comfortable cushion with Ubaldo Jimenez on the mound. Matt Diaz dented it quickly though with a 2-run HR. The Rockies got those runs back in the 4th via Helton and Hawpe RBI singles, but the Braves come right back, capitalizing on Tulowitzki error with a 3-un Chipper Jones HR.

This is when the Rockies lefty specialists lets them down. In the 7th, Randy Flores gave up a game-tying PH 2-run HR to Nate McLouth, then in the 8th Joe Beimel allowed a go ahead 2-run to Brian McCann. This brought on Billy Wagner.

Helton leads the 9th off with a single. Tulo grounds out but Helton advances. Spilborghs pinch-hits for Hawpe and delivers a single, Helton to third. Then that man again, Chris Iannetta, steps in and crushes a 3-run HR. Huston Street, who obviously won't be available tonight in reality, pitched a clean 9th despite back-to-back two out singles. Beimel vultures the win.